Apply to join British Army musicians from any country | Check basic requirements
British Army musicians are paid to perform at famous, high-profile events across the UK and all over the world. The Royal Corps of Army Music is made up of 13 Regular bands and one string orchestra that play everything from military marching music to jazz and contemporary. We need musicians with a wide range of specialisms, so join us and spend your days rehearsing and developing music for concerts and performances alongside like-minded people.
Key Responsibilities
- Play alongside some of the world’s best Military Musicians in one of our 14 bands based throughout the UK
- Opportunities to travel and perform at venues and arenas worldwide
- Enjoy a varied career up to the age of 55+ with the opportunity to promote across the rank structure
- Take advantage of sports and Adventurous Training the Army offers
- Have a full-time, salaried and pensionable career as a professional musician
Regular (full time) | British Army musicians
Entry requirements
- Age:From 16 years & 6 months to 36 years & 11 months
- Qualifications:
You must already play a musical instrument to a high standard and are required to pass an audition, which includes:
- Two contrasting pieces
- Technical exercises
- Sight reading and aural perception assessment
- A general musicianship assessment (inc Musical Theory assessment) Interview
- All standard Army entrance requirements
- Basic physical fitness assessment:
- Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
- Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m
- MSFT (beep test) level: 4.02
Army Reserve standards
- Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
- Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m
- MSFT (beep test): Level 4.02
Training for the role
Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.
- If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training course at Harrogate.
- If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.
Step 2
After basic training, you’ll then complete initial trade training at The Alford Schools of Military Music. Here, you’ll learn how to march and play, as well as develop your musical education through written work, theory lessons and performance experience. Depending on your ability, you’ll spend anytime from 3 to 24 months in initial trade training.
Qualifications you could get after training
- Level 3 Diploma in Military Music
- After you’ve completed training and get posted to a band, you’ll have the opportunity to take diploma exams with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
- There will also be opportunities to study subsidised bachelors/master’s degrees.
Pay & benefits for British Army musicians
Earn £25,200 a year during training. On completion of initial trade training you will earn £28,861. Official website
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